Gambling Addiction

What It Is

An impulse-control disorder centered on games of chance.

Pathological gambling is a behavioral addiction in which the afflicted individual struggles with impulse control as it relates to games of chance.

The condition can lead to significant financial hardship, damaged relationships, and loss of employment.

Who's At Risk

Anyone who gambles is at risk.

The condition typically emerges between ages 20 and 40 in women, and during early adolescence in men.

Signs & Symptoms

Recognizing pathological gambling.

• Engaging in reckless behavior, including criminal activity, to obtain gambling money
• Using gambling as a coping mechanism
• Experiencing significant distress from gambling
• Negative life changes such as job loss or strained relationships
• Withdrawal symptoms — restlessness, irritability, depression — when attempting to cut back or quit
• Increasingly gambling more money to make up for past losses
• Hiding or lying about gambling time and money spent
• Increasingly gambling more money to feel a rush of excitement
• Obsessing over gambling experiences and spending an unhealthy amount of time thinking about it

Treatment At Two Dreams

How we treat gambling addiction.

Two Dreams offers inpatient, intensive outpatient, and outpatient services tailored to each individual's needs and level of care required. Our trained counselors, under the supervision of a physician, help clients decide which placement best fits their needs and guide them through every transition step-by-step.

We also provide step-down transition programs to help clients shift out of the treatment center setting, so recovery continues smoothly after formal treatment ends.